AroundTown
Assessing risk CV-19 Checkup is an online tool created in partnership between St. Louis Oasis St. Louis County and BellAge that allows users to assess risk for contracting COVID-19 BY CHARLOTTE BEARD
www.treesbywoody.net
St. Louis’ Oasis, an advocate for older adults, is continuing its mission to promote healthy aging through lifelong learning, active lifestyles, and volunteer engagement by taking an active role during COVID-19. Keeping with its educational approach, Oasis has developed a free online tool, CV-19 CheckUp, in partnership with St. Louis County and BellAge. CV-19 CheckUp, found at http://www.oasisnet.org/covid helps people understand personal risks of getting and spreading COVID-19 to others based on their behavior. The 10-minute questionnaire requires no personal information, phone number or email address. Results are generated immediately in an online report unique to the person completing the questionnaire. According to Juliet Simone, National Health and Program Director for Oasis, some questions help determine how severe an individual’s COVID probability might be. The tool assesses an individual’s living situation – single dwelling (i.e., house, or mobile home) or multiple unit dwelling such as an apartment. “Those things are variables that can make a difference (in) your risk (for) COVID,” stated Simone. “(The tool) also checks some of your daily or weekly habits as it relates to what kinds of places you are visiting on a weekly or monthly basis. (It) gives you some options like grocery stores, outdoor exercise, doctors’ offices and restaurants.” The tool was developed with older adults as the target audience but Simone states that it also benefits those with autoimmune diseases and other chronic health conditions (lung diseases, upper respiratory issues, those undergoing chemo treatment, pregnant women, and other immunocompromised individuals). Simone shared that one of the assessment results at the end of the questionnaire provides an individual’s percentage risk for the likelihood of testing positive for the virus based on current health and habits as well as the risk for spreading the virus unknowingly. In addition, the tool provides tips for reducing an individual’s risks if they score in a high-risk category. “One additional component that’s really important,” stated Simone, “is that (the tool) also asks about your feelings of isolation, loneliness, and depression. Loneliness and isolation are topics that have always been important to those of us working with older adults, but I think most Americans have had some taste of what it’s like to be isolated and lonely over these last five or six months.” ‘RISK’ CONTINUED ON PAGE 5
4 | OUR TOWN | SEPTEMBER 2020
